Ending your Vidrate membership made easy

About Vidrate

Vidrate is a UK-based subscription service that delivers personalised video game rentals directly to your door. Operating from their headquarters in Keighley, West Yorkshire, this service allows gaming enthusiasts to rent physical video games across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. As a consumer, understanding what you're subscribing to is the first step in making informed decisions about whether to continue or cancel your membership.

The service works on a rental model similar to traditional DVD rental services, but specifically tailored for video games. Members select games from Vidrate's catalogue, receive them by post, play them for as long as they wish, and then return them in prepaid envelopes to rent their next selection. This means you're entering into a continuous subscription agreement rather than a one-off purchase, which carries specific legal implications under UK consumer law.

Vidrate positions itself as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing games outright, particularly beneficial for those who enjoy playing through titles quickly or want to try games before committing to a full purchase. The company maintains a library of both new releases and classic titles, updating their catalogue regularly to reflect current gaming trends and customer demand.

From a consumer rights perspective, it's important to recognise that Vidrate operates under UK subscription service regulations. This means you have specific protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. These laws ensure you're entitled to clear information about your subscription terms, fair cancellation procedures, and protection against unfair contract terms.

Subscription plans and pricing

Understanding your subscription plan is essential when considering cancellation, as different tiers may have varying notice periods and terms. Vidrate typically offers several membership levels designed to accommodate different gaming habits and budgets. Your rights and obligations can differ depending on which plan you've selected, so identifying your current tier is your first practical step.

These pricing structures represent the typical offerings, though Vidrate may adjust their plans or introduce promotional rates. As a consumer, you should always refer to your original subscription agreement or most recent correspondence from Vidrate to confirm your specific pricing and terms. This documentation becomes particularly important when cancelling, as it establishes what you agreed to and what notice period applies.

Most Vidrate subscriptions operate on a rolling monthly basis, which means your membership automatically renews each month unless you actively cancel. This is a standard practice for subscription services, but it places the responsibility on you to provide adequate notice of cancellation. Under UK law, this is perfectly legal provided the terms were clearly communicated when you signed up.

Payment methods and billing cycles

Vidrate typically processes payments through direct debit or continuous payment authority on credit or debit cards. Your billing date is usually set when you first subscribe and remains consistent each month. This matters for cancellation because you need to understand when your next payment is due to ensure you cancel with sufficient notice to avoid unwanted charges.

As a consumer, you have rights regarding payment even after requesting cancellation. If Vidrate takes a payment after you've properly cancelled within the required notice period, you're entitled to a refund. This is why postal cancellation with proof of delivery becomes so valuable—it provides documentary evidence of when you submitted your cancellation request.

Why members choose to cancel

Understanding common cancellation reasons helps contextualise your own decision and ensures you're taking the right step. Many Vidrate customers cancel due to changing gaming habits, with some finding they don't play games as frequently as anticipated when subscribing. This is entirely reasonable—your entertainment needs evolve, and your subscriptions should reflect your current lifestyle.

Financial considerations represent another significant factor. Gaming subscriptions can accumulate alongside other entertainment services, and periodic review of these expenses is sound financial management. Some customers also cancel because they've completed their gaming backlog or prefer purchasing games outright. Others experience service issues such as delayed deliveries, damaged games, or limited catalogue selection.

Whatever your reason, UK consumer law supports your right to cancel subscription services. You don't need to justify your decision to the company, though providing feedback can help improve services for other consumers. Your primary focus should be ensuring you follow the correct cancellation procedure to protect yourself from continued charges.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Vidrate's cancellation policy operates within the framework of UK consumer protection legislation. As a subscription service, they must provide clear cancellation procedures and honour properly submitted cancellation requests. Your consumer rights in this area are robust, and understanding them empowers you to cancel confidently and effectively.

The standard notice period for Vidrate cancellations typically requires notification before your next billing date. This means if your subscription renews on the 15th of each month, you should submit your cancellation request with enough time for it to be processed before that date. Most companies require at least 48 hours to process cancellations, though some stipulate longer periods in their terms and conditions.

Legal requirements in the UK

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cooling-off period when first subscribing to services like Vidrate. This means if you've recently joined, you can cancel within 14 days of signing up and receive a full refund for any unused service. This right exists regardless of what the company's own terms state—it's a statutory protection that cannot be contracted out of.

Beyond the cooling-off period, your cancellation rights depend on the terms you agreed to when subscribing. However, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you against unfair contract terms. This means Vidrate cannot impose unreasonably long notice periods or make cancellation excessively difficult. If their terms require more than one month's notice or involve complicated procedures, these terms may be challengeable as unfair.

The key principle is that cancellation should be as easy as signing up. If you could subscribe online in minutes, requiring you to jump through multiple hoops to cancel could constitute an unfair practice. This doesn't necessarily mean companies must offer the same cancellation method as subscription, but the overall difficulty level should be comparable.

Notice periods and final payments

Your notice period determines when your subscription actually ends and when you'll make your final payment. If Vidrate requires 30 days' notice and you cancel on January 5th, your subscription would typically end on February 4th, meaning you'd pay for both January and February. This is standard practice and legally acceptable provided it was clearly stated in your terms.

As a result, timing your cancellation strategically can minimise unnecessary payments. If possible, submit your cancellation request shortly after your billing date rather than just before. This gives you maximum use of the service you've already paid for whilst ensuring you don't pay for additional months you don't want.

Outstanding obligations before cancellation

Before your cancellation becomes effective, you must fulfil any outstanding obligations under your subscription agreement. For Vidrate, this means returning any games currently in your possession. The company is entitled to require game returns before processing your cancellation, and they may continue charging your subscription fee until all rented items are returned.

This represents a fair contractual requirement—you cannot cancel a rental service whilst still holding their property. Therefore, when planning your cancellation, first return all games using the prepaid envelopes provided. Consider using tracked postage for these returns to prove you've sent them back, protecting yourself if items go missing in transit.

How to cancel Vidrate by post

Postal cancellation provides the most reliable method for ending your Vidrate subscription whilst protecting your consumer rights. Unlike phone calls that leave no record or online forms that might fail to submit properly, a posted letter creates documentary evidence of your cancellation request. This proof becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you cancelled or when your cancellation was received.

Sending your cancellation by Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery gives you a tracking number and proof of delivery. This means you can demonstrate exactly when Vidrate received your cancellation letter, which is crucial for establishing whether you met any required notice periods. In practice, this evidence protects you against claims that you cancelled too late or that they never received your request.

Essential information to include

Your cancellation letter must contain specific information to be effective. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your Vidrate account, followed by your account number or email address associated with the subscription. Include your full address and contact telephone number to enable Vidrate to identify your account quickly and contact you if necessary.

Clearly state your intention to cancel your Vidrate subscription, using unambiguous language such as \